Commanding Officer
Lt/Col. R. J. Perrich
Staff Assignments
Maj. C. Romano Executive Officer
Lt. B. J. Fagan S-1
Lt. R. C. Cormier S-2
Maj. G. T. Beauchamp S-3 (1-8 Dec)
Capt. J. A. Schumacher S-3 (8-31 Dec)
Capt. L. A. Crouch S-4
Lt. R. E. Dahart AirO (1-10 Dec)
Lt. P. H. Rupertus AirO (10-24 Dec)
Lt. F. Palka AirO (24-31 Dec)
Lt. S. D. Purvis ArtilleryO
Lt. T.M. Howard Civil AffairsO
Lt. G. M. MacPhee MTO
Capt. T. P. Donnelly CommO
Lt. A.R. Prizzi (USNR, MC) Surgeon (1-27 Dec)
Lt. J. A. Sterling (USNR, MC) Surgeon (27-31 Dec)
Lt. W. G. Moody (USNR, CHC) Chaplain
Unit Commanders
Lt. J. J. Clancy III Company A
Capt. R. B. Alexander Company B
Capt. J. C. Gillman Company C (1-24 Dec)
Capt. J. R. Spence Company C (24-31 Dec)
Capt. P. A. LoPresti Company D
Lt. J. M. Myatt H&S Company
Direct Support Units
Lt. J. R. Glover 3rd Plt., Co. C, 3rd Tk Bn
Lt. J. T. Mathews 1st Plt., Co. B, 3rd AT Bn (1-8 Dec)
S/Sgt S. D. Stewart 1st Plt., Co. B, 3rd AT Bn (8-31 Dec)
Lt. R. C. Bannon 2nd Plt., Co. A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Upon the detachment of Major G. T. Beauchamp, on 8 December 1965 to Headquarters 3rd Marine Division, Capt. J. A. Schumacher was assigned as the Battalion S-3.
On 27 December Lt. J. A. Sterling, USNR, (MC) reported as relief for the Battalion Surgeon, Lt. A. R. Prizzi. Lt. Prizzi was detached on 27 December 1965.
Capt. J. R. Spence Commanding Officer of Company D, 1st Battalion 3rd Marines arrived with his Company on 24 December as the exchange unit for Company C, 1st Battalion 4th Marines. Accordingly, Captain Gillman and Company C were transported to Da Nang. Company D/1/3 was accordingly redesignated as Company C/1/4.
In preparation for the unit exchange, on 10 December Companies B and C exchanged locations and missions.
During the month 1st Lt. Rupertus and 1st Lt. F. Palka were joined by the Battalion as Forward Air controller and Air Liaison Officer respectively.
Command Post Locations
Battalion Command Post (BT 525092)
Company A (BT 527111)
Company B (BT 510129)
Company C (BT 523091)
Company D (BT 487104)
3rd Plt, Co C, 3rd Tk Bn (BT 526092)
1st Plt, Co B, 3rd AT Bn (BT 526092)
2nd Plt, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn (BT 519116)
Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS Series L701 Sheets 6757 III, 6757 IV
Average Monthly Strength
Officers 37 Enlisted 971
Chronological Summary
Mission.
During the period 1-22 December 1965, the mission of the 1st Battalion continued to be as assigned by the 4th Marines Operation Order 305-65 of 8 September 1965, namely.
Defend along the trace of the MLR within assigned TAOR. Maintain a COPL within assigned TAOR. Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel landings and preclude infiltration. Conduct aggressive operations and patrolling within TAOR. Be prepared to conduct operations and patrolling within TAOR. Provide tactical security for Battery A, 2nd LAAM Bn firing site on Ky Hoa Island. Provide liaison personnel to effect coordination with Province Chief, Tam Ky.
On 22 December the Battalion received Regimental Operation Order 308-65 dated 20 December which assigned new missions as follows:
Occupy and defend in assigned zone of the 4th Marines sector. Maintain combat patrol bases on Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan Islands. Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel landings and prohibit infiltration. Conduct aggressive operations and patrolling within assigned zone. Be prepared to conduct operations outside the TAOR unilaterally or bilaterally with RVNAF. Construct and maintain field fortifications required for protection to the vital area on Ky Ha Peninsula. Establish a Peninsula Defense Command to coordinate activities among organizations on the Ky Ha Peninsula. Conduct a vigorous Civil Affairs Program within assigned zone. Provide liaison personnel to the Chief, Quang Tin Province, Tam Ky.
All assigned missions were executed with vigor and enemy activity throughout the entire TAOR was limited to isolated incidents of sporadic harassing small arms fire. Aggressive saturation patrolling and ambush establishment precluded any large-scale enemy buildup intent upon attacking the vital Logistic Support Areas in the rear.
Operations.
During the month of December, the Battalion maintained two rifle companies along the MLR on the Ky Ha Peninsula, and one company on each of the two islands, Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan. On the Peninsula, Companies A, B & C conducted vigorous saturation patrolling Forward of the MLR, and along the entire length of the Peninsula. Patrols were increased substantially during the hours of darkness, many of which were coordinated Marine/Popular Force patrols. Additionally, coordinated Marine/Self Defense Corps checkpoints were manned in the various hamlets to ensure compliance with established curfew regulations. Company A provided security for the LST ramp (BT 522121) located on the northeastern tip of the Peninsula in addition to manning their portion of the MLR.
Companies C, B and D throughout the month conducted aggressive patrolling on the two western islands of Ky Hoa (BT 500140) and Ky Xuan (BT 485100). The patrol activity was in conjunction with an active pacification/rural reconstruction program.
Both companies conducted coordinated Marine/Popular Force patrols. Company C and B manned coordinated checkpoints with elements of the Self Defense Corps on Ky Hoa Island (BT 500140) to ensure compliance with established curfew regulations.
H&S Company continued their defenses of the Battalion Command Post, and provided Marines on a nightly basis, as security forces for the waterborne patrol, and to accompany the nightly Popular Force ambush within the Ky Ha Village.
The 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion conducted nightly waterborne patrols throughout the myriad of inland waterways within the Battalion’s TAOR. The patrol’s primary mission was to ensure compliance with existing curfew regulations. In addition to the above-mentioned mission, the LVTs provided logistic support to the patrol bases located on the Islands of Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan. Tactical support, in the form of Amphibious Landings was provided the Battalion during the scheduled operations on Hoa Xuna Island (BT 4315).
To assist in the defensive posture of the Battalion, the recently acquired Seismic Intrusion Detectors were utilized throughout the Battalion area of responsibility. A total of twenty SID is available and issued to the individual rifle companies and H&S Company. During December the primary employment was in conjunction with ambushes. Other uses included MLR defenses, CP defenses and storage area defenses. Periodic sounds were recorded, all of which alerted the Marines that instant action as a result of the SID indication deferred any further enemy activity manning the adjacent positions. Illumination and small arms were directed into the vicinity of the reported movement with no significant results. However, it is felt that instant action as a result of the SID indication deferred any further enemy activity.
Offensive operations conducted by the Battalion reached a peak as the month drew to a close. On the 9th of December, acting on intelligence received from a refugee residing in the hamlet of Hoa Tra, Company C (-)(rein) proceeded by LVT to the vicinity of (BT 430174) and conducted a Search and Destroy operation from Hoa Tra (BT 430174) southeast along the peninsula. Sporadic small arms fire was received throughout the operation. Moving south, the Company crossed the Truong Giang River early in the afternoon of the 9th by LVT and continued the sweep south to the retraction point at (BT 456143). The operation netted a total of five Viet Cong suspects.
The second offensive operation placed Company C on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315) on the 18th of December. The Company landed by LVTs at (BT 437164) and conducted a sweeping search and clear operation along the Hoa Xuan (1) Village complex, (Grid Line 16). Although no large-scale insurgent opposition was met, harassing small arms fire was sporadically present throughout the day. Numerous trench lines and tunnels were discovered and destroyed, as were hiding holes in and around the hamlet area. In conjunction with the operation, psychological leaflets were distributed along the axis of advance. The Company sustained no casualties during the operation, however, seven VCS were apprehended and turned over to the Counterintelligence personnel at Chu Lai.
The next offensive operation commenced the evening of the 18th and upon the extraction of Company C. One Reinforced Platoon from Company B moved clandestinely north from (BT 474144) to (BT 446164) where they harbored for the night and dispatched reconnaissance patrols to observe any enemy activity initiated as a result of Company C’s vacation of the Island earlier in the day. However, no significant observations were made, and commencing at 0800H the platoon conducted a daylight sweep back to its patrol base at ‘Kahaku’ (BT 476144). No VC/VCS were observed or apprehended.
On 23 December, Company B was once again ordered to launch a Reinforced Platoon size operation on the Viet Cong controlled island of Hoa Xuan (BT 4315). Under cover of darkness, and at low tide the platoon moved across the Truong Giang River mouth to the vicinity of (BT 461146). The above was to be done in complete secrecy, however, an unseen Vietnamese observed the crossing and passed a verbal warning which carried up the entire northeast coast of the Island. Accordingly, the entry was compromised. However, the Search and Destroy mission continued up the northeast finger of the inland (BT 4515) and back along the southeast finger (BT 4514) with no more contact then isolated harassing incidents of small arms fire. Noteworthy was the fact, that two VC booby traps were encountered, and both detonations caused only one slightly wounded (non-evacuee) Marines. The operation netted two VCS both of which were sent to the Chu Lai Collection Point.
The keynote of the offensive operations during the period was the Battalion (-) (rein) operation, code named Trident, conducted on 27 December. The scheme of maneuver encompassed Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315) with three companies (-) (rein) landing on widely dispersed beaches. Company A (-) (rein) landed via Amphibian Tractor on the northeast shore and moved west, while Companies B and C landed by indigenous boats on the southeast and southwest areas respectively and moved generally north. The operation ran smoothly and netted the Battalion one Viet Cong killed, the capture of his ChiCom 7.62mm Mossin Nagant Carbine and one American M-6 grenade. Additionally, thirty-five Viet Cong suspects were apprehended ten of which were returned to the Chu Lai Collection Point. Two of these ten were on the Battalions Blacklist. The Battalion although faced with sporadic isolated incident of harassing small arms fire, sustained no casualties.
Chronological Narrative of Significant Events.
1 December
At 0320H and again at 0400H, Movement was suspected on the perimeter of Company D’s patrol base (BT 487104). In each case, an M-79 round was fired and the area checked with nothing significant noted.
2 December
At 2130H, One M-79 round was fired at movement on the Company D patrol base perimeter (BT 487104). A check of the area revealed nothing.
3 December
A company B ambush at (BT 509078) received 2-3 rounds incoming S/A fire at 2015H. Two fire teams were dispatched to check to the west of the ambush site where the fire originated but found nothing.
4 December
At 0125H, Company D received one S/A incoming round from east of their patrol base at (BT 487104). The area was visually checked under illumination with nothing unusual observed. At 0400H, noises which sounded like someone driving stakes into the ground were heard to the northeast of Company D’s patrol base. Six M-14 rounds were fired, and the area was checked under illumination, however, nothing unusual was seen. At 2350H, two more M-14 rounds were fired at suspected movement in the same vicinity. Illumination again revealed nothing.
5 December
At 2000H, One Platoon from Company B was placed on an alert status to augment MLR positions of 2nd Bn 4th Marines. At 2205H, in the vicinity of Company D patrol base (BT 487104), a crouching figure was observed approximately 75 meters from the patrol base. One M-14 round was fired and when the individual began to flee an additional 10 rounds were fired. The area was immediately checked; however, the individual was not located.
6 December
At 0830H, The platoon placed in the alert status the previous evening was relieved of the requirement.
7 December
At 0445H, Seven M-14 rounds were fired at suspected enemy movement on the perimeter of Company D’s patrol base (BT 487104). A check of the area revealed nothing. At 05550H a VCS was brought to the Company D patrol base (BT 487104) with wounds in the arm and leg. The wounds which appeared to be bullet wounds, were treated by the Corpsmen and the VCS was transported to the Chu Lai Collection Point. At 2320H, A SID located at (BT 487104), the Company D patrol base, indicated movement. Two M-79 rounds were fired into the area of suspected movement, followed by an immediate search, but nothing unusual was noted.
8-9 December
At 090900H, The Second Platoon of Company B was placed under the operational control of the 2nd Bn 4th Marines and assigned as part of the Regimental Reserve. At 090500H, the Third Platoon, Company C departed the company patrol base (BT 512125) for Hoa Tra Hamlet (BT 430174) in four LVTs. This Reaction Force was dispatched acting on an intelligence report which stated there were eight VC living there. At (BT 474145) the assault force split with two LVTs moving up the Truong Giang River and two LVTs proceeding northwest along the northern shoreline of the Island. At 090609H, A sweep of Hoa Tra Hamlet (BT 430174) commenced. Two male VCS were apprehended in the Hamlet at 090700H and 090944H respectively. At 090750H, An LVT, while patrolling in the river, received S/A fire from the vicinity of (BT 437162). Again, at 090858H, S/A fire was received from (BT 43916*). In both cases the sniper withdrew before contact could be made. At 091052H, Fire was received at (BT 439169) from an estimated VC squad. The Marines returned the fire and moved into the area, only to have the enemy withdraw without further contact. At 091220H, Five VCS were apprehended at (BT 445158). No further contact was made, and the platoon returned to the patrol base by LVT. At 092104H, A Company B patrol heard seven drumbeats in the vicinity of (BT 495097). At the same time a Vietnamese was observed following the patrol. When Marines attempted to halt the Vietnamese, the man started to run and was fired upon and wounded by the patrol. After treating the wound, and checking the individuals ID card, the Marines turned him over to the Village Chief as a first-time curfew violator.
10 December
At 0800H, Company B replaced Company C on Ky Hoa Island (BT *013) and Company C moved to the Ky Ha Peninsula to occupy the area (BT 524090) formerly occupied by Company B. The move was completed by 1030H.
11 December
At 2028H, The Platoon from Company A located at the LST ramp (BT 521119), received five incoming grenades and a moderate amount of S/A and A/W fire from vicinity (BT 524122). Immediately a heavy volume of S/A fire and two grenades were returned, forcing the VC to break contact. During the engagement, one squad was dispatched to the Village Chief’s house for security while two additional squads were sent to reinforce the LST ramp. The entire Battalion was subsequently placed on 100% alert. The area from which the fire came from was swept under artillery illumination with no significant observation. The Battalion returned to 50% alert at 2300H.
12 December
At 0520H, A Security/Combat patrol from Company D at (BT 488103) apprehended one male VCS without ID card. He was turned over to the Village Chief for further disposition as a first-time curfew violator. At 2210H, A defensive position of Company A at (BT 528105) received three bursts of S/A fire and one fragmentation grenade, which slightly wounded one Marine. A squad checked the area under 81mm mortar illumination but found nothing unusual.
13-14 December
At 140315H, A Company C checkpoint vicinity (BT 515086) fired six M-14 rounds at an individual forward of the Hamlet gate. The man ran off to the southwest and was not seen again.
15-16 December
At 152118H, A Company D patrol received two rounds S/A fire from vicinity (BT 490089). The area was illuminated by 81mm mortar but nothing unusual was observed. At 161945H, Company D fired one 81mm illumination round to observe area of suspected movement at (BT 484102). A patrol was dispatched but nothing unusual was found.
17 December
At 171345H, Company B’s patrol base ‘Kahuku’ (BT 47642) reported receiving incoming mortar fire initially thought to be from the island at (BT 4712). Two KIA’s were sustained. Further reports, however, indicated that the suspected mortar rounds were in actuality 40mm rocket fire from friendly HU-1E aircraft. The HU-1E aircraft returning to MAG-36, had seen the Marines at (BT 476142) and mistaken them for Viet Cong. At 171850H, Two H-34 helicopters fired machine guns vicinity (BT 483118). Area was searched by Company D and one 11-year-old VC was found to be wounded in the shoulder. The boy was taken to Company D’s CP and first aid was administered.
18 December
At 0800H, the planned Search and Destroy operation on Hoa Xuan (BT 4315) by Company C was executed. No large concentration of enemy was encountered. The Company CP Group received one S/A round incoming from vicinity (BT 429146) at 181230H. No casualties were taken, and an immediate search of the area produced no VC. Seven VCS were taken from the island because of improper identification.
19-20 December
At 192335H, A defensive position at (BT 525089) received one incoming S/A tracer round from the south. Exact point from which round was fired could not be determined.
21-22 December
At 211830H, Company A received one round S/A into their position vicinity (BT 528104). The round came from vicinity (BT 527108). This area was thoroughly searched but nothing unusual was found. At 220010H, A Company D patrol, vicinity (BT 481090) saw six people standing on a rice paddy dike. As the patrol approached the people, the fled. The patrol fired at the fleeing people but were unable to hit anyone.
23 December
A Company B Platoon (rein) in a Search and Destroy mission on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315) apprehended one VCS male with no ID card vicinity (BT 443155) at 0930H. The patrol received 5-6 rounds of harassing fire from (BT 436147) at 1012H. The area was searched thoroughly but nothing unusual was found. Two explosive type booby traps (type could not be determined) were set off near a gate at (BT 444145) at 1026H. One Marine was wounded but required no evacuation. The booby trap was believed to have been attached to the gate. Another VCS without an ID card was apprehended vicinity (BT 440150).
24-25 December
Company D/1/3 arrived to displace Company C/1/4. This was in conjunction with 3rd Marine Division Trans- Placement Program. At 242305H, the 1st Bn CP security position at (BT 524091) received two incoming rounds of S/A fire. They immediately returned fire then checked the area but found nothing unusual. The scout sniper team (two men) was employed to observe a trench line with tunnels discovered at (BT 527108). The scout/snipers moved into position (BT 527107) after dark and remained until 250400H. They saw and heard nothing unusual.
At 252240H, Two S/A rounds were heard, one round incoming at Company D’s CP (BT 487104) and one round going over the heads of the patrol at vicinity (BT 488108). The patrol checked the area but nothing unusual was discovered.
26-27 December
On 27 December 1965, A Battalion (-) (rein) Search and Destroy operation was conducted on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315). The Battalion apprehended thirty-five VCS in the field with ten of them transported to the Chu Lai Collection Point. One VC was killed, and his ChiCom Mossin-Nagant Model 53 carbine, seven rounds of 7.62 ammunition, one spent cartridge and one M-20 fragmentation grenade were captured.
28 December
At 2100H, Company D received one incoming carbine round at (BT 487104) from vicinity (BT 485106). Two S/A rounds were immediately fired into the area from which the round was suspected to have originated but when a patrol was sent to investigate the area nothing unusual was found. At 2050H, Rocks were thrown at a Marine checking post at (BT 526091). The area was illuminated, and a man was observed running into the brush. Two M-14 rounds were fired at the man as he fled, however, with undetermined results. At 2252H, the same area was illuminated when movement was suspected, and a man was observed running away. Another M-14 round was fired with undetermined results.
29 December
At 0145H, Two Vietnamese males were apprehended at (BT 51*154). The VCS, who were in a small boat and failed to possess ID cards, were turned over to the Village Chief for disposition. At 0250H, A curfew violator was apprehended at (BT 481108) and turned over to the Village Chief. At 0015H, Movement was indicated on a Seismic Intrusion Detector at (BT 526112). Illumination revealed several people running into the tree line. Two M-79 round and 15-20 M-14 rounds were fired, and the area was checked immediately, however, nothing unusual was noted. At 2310H, an estimated 5-7 VC probed the LST ramp (BT 521119), firing 15-20 S/A rounds at Marine positions. Fire was returned and one grenade thrown by the Marines, forcing the probers to withdraw. A patrol checked the area where the hostile fire originated but observed nothing unusual. At 2325H one grenade was thrown at Marine positions around the ramp. The area was illuminated and checked. Nothing unusual was observed.
30 December
At 2025H, A squad patrol at (BT 490095) observed one man running in the brush. The man continued to run when ordered to halt and was fired on by the patrol. The man disappeared in the darkness and a check of the area revealed nothing. One scout sniper was employed with Company A in blocking position (BT 423099). One round was fired at a VC OP. One man was seen to fall, but a check of the area revealed no body.
31 December
At 2140H, Movement was suspected, and one M-14 round fired at (BT 525089), but illumination revealed nothing. At 2300H, One M-79 round and two M-14 rounds were fired at suspected movement (BT 4*8102). The area was checked, and nothing was found. A company size operation was scheduled on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4215) however the plan was contingent on the availability of local boats to gain access to the island. The boats were not available, and the operation was cancelled.
This page last corrected 18 September 2011